Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 66134 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 331(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 220(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66134 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 331(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 220(@300wpm)
Dex said something, diverting Caleb’s attention, much to my relief.
“See.” Valerie elbowed me gently in the side so I didn’t spill my drink. “He’s already eating you up.”
There was no denying what had been so apparent, even if I knew it would lead to nothing between Caleb and me. “Stop,” I said, giving my sister a mock-stern look.
She took another sip of her drink, clearly enjoying herself at my expense. “Maybe he’s too shy to make the first move.”
I almost choked on the drink I was taking of my cocktail, because a man like Caleb, with such a commanding presence, was the opposite of shy. “Maybe he’s just fine with us being friends,” I said, because we were at least that.
I’d known Caleb over a year now, and there had been many gatherings because of our connection to Raven that put us in close proximity. We’d had plenty of casual, friendly conversations, some even a bit flirty, so I wasn’t about to read anything more into our interactions.
Valerie shrugged, looking unconvinced. “Okay, if you say so.”
“I do, so behave,” I reminded her beneath my breath, just as I caught sight of Samantha Dare, my direct boss where I was interning at Dare PR while finishing up my marketing degree online. I hoped to stay on with the firm once I earned my degree in the next few months. That would mean a nice salary to compensate what I made at the bar, and it would enable me to move to a nicer apartment and better neighborhood.
“There’s my boss, who I want you to meet.” I grabbed Valerie’s elbow and guided her in that direction, discarding our empty cocktail glasses on the way.
Samantha was chatting with her best friend, Brandy, who was also her office manager at the PR firm. They both smiled at me as we approached.
“Hi, Samantha, Brandy,” I acknowledged each of them. “I’d like you to meet my sister, Valerie.”
“It’s a pleasure,” Samantha said amicably, shaking Valerie’s hand.
“Likewise,” my sister said, before exchanging the same greeting with Brandy.
We made small talk for a while and when the time was right, I returned my attention back to Brandy. “I know this isn’t the best place to do this but I know you’re looking for a new assistant, and Valerie is experienced and looking for a new job.”
Brandy’s eyebrows raised, perked up in interest.
“I just wanted the two of you to meet face to face before she sent in her résumé.” I didn’t explain that Valerie was currently unemployed, or that her ex, a junior advisor and the son of the CEO at the financial firm where she’d worked as a secretary, had gotten her fired in retribution for her not going back to him. That was my sister’s story to tell, if she chose to.
“Wonderful. It’s always so much easier when someone comes recommended,” Brandy said, genuinely enthusiastic as she withdrew a business card from her purse and handed it to Valerie. “Send your résumé directly to me at that email address, and we’ll go from there.”
“Thank you,” Valerie said, her eyes wide with surprise. “I appreciate that.”
“Of course. We love having Stevie in the office. If you’re as hardworking as she is, then we’d be lucky to have you on board.”
Samantha glanced at something, or someone, over my shoulder and smirked as she nudged Brandy. “I think our men are getting restless.” She looked back at me. “They’re waving us over, so excuse us for now.”
“Of course.” I looked in the direction where Dex and Max had been conversing with Caleb, but he was no longer with them.
“Wow. Brandy didn’t have to do that,” Valerie said, staring at the business card in awe. “I would have gone through the regular channels of applying for the job.”
“Well, now you don’t have to. At least not completely. You’ll still have to get through an interview and prove yourself.”
She bit her bottom lip, and I could see her insecurities surfacing. “And what about explaining getting fired from my previous job?”
I touched Valerie’s arm reassuringly. “Technically, you weren’t fired. You were let go. And trust me when I say that these women are very understanding.” I lowered my voice so only Valerie could hear me. “Samantha had a crazy ex, so both she and Brandy are going to be more sympathetic to your situation than you realize. So be honest and tell them what happened with Mark and his petty revenge.”
She nodded and exhaled a deep breath. “You’re right. And this is very exciting. I mean, Dare PR is one of the most highly respected firms in the city.”
I loved seeing that enthusiasm in Valerie’s eyes. That sense of purpose that had been missing for weeks now. “Yes, I know. And how fun would it be to work together at the same place?”